Where Is George Washington Buried Where Is George Washington Buried ? Where Is George Washington Buried ? After his death, at the age of 67 at his house at Mount Vernon, George Washington was buried in the same place. His death was mourned by the U.S public for many months. George Washington had wanted his funeral to be a simple affair. However, the exactly opposite happened. The funeral of George Washington was not a simple ceremony. Thousands of supporters and admirers attended the funeral service. With a grand salute in the form of firing of guns from a ship anchored in the Potomac, a band played during the funeral services. George Washington was laid to rest in the family tomb at Mount Vernon. After his death, his widow, Martha, burnt all but three letters that were exchanged between them to protect their privacy. Before his death, in 1799, George Washington had left a will that he had personally drafted. Running to 42 pages, he made it clear that his surviving wife Martha should inherit his Mount Vernon estate which was then valued at $500,000. After her death, Washington had stated that it should be inherited by his nephew, Bushrod Washington. Slavery was predominant in those days.

And George Washington’s will had a clear mention about the slaves working in his plantations and in his house. The will stated that William, his personal slave should be relieved from slavery and should be given $30 grant of money every year during his lifetime. The will also mentioned that the rest of the slaves who work for them should be freed once Martha breathes her last. The will of Washington also reflected his concern for society and education. The will said that a section of his wealth should go to a school catering to the needs of the poor and orphans. Another part of his wealth should go into construction of a national university in Washington D.C. His two grandchildren, Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis, also inherited large properties in Virginia, as well as his friends inherited some gifts. The remains of George Washington were originally buried in the old tomb at his Mount Vernon estate. However, in 1831, in commemoration of the centennial of his birth, his last remains were shifted to be buried in its current tomb. America mourned the loss of its first President for months together. In France, thousands mourned and Napoleon observed ten days of mourning throughout France.

List of President The Tombs · George Washington's Mount Vernon The Mansion Gardens & Landscapes Pioneer Farm Distillery & Gristmill Historic Trades Museum Virtual Tour Come visit the final resting place of George and Martha Washington. Both the Old and New Tombs can be seen during your visit to Mount Vernon. George Washington died in his bedchamber at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. His last will outlined his desire to be buried at home at Mount Vernon. Washington additionally made provisions for a new brick tomb to be constructed after his death, which would replace the original yet quickly deteriorating family burial vault. In 1831, Washington’s body was transferred to the new tomb, along with the remains of Martha Washington and other family members. Today, the gently wooded enclosure that surrounds the Washingtons' final resting place is a lovely, fitting space to pay homage to the Father of Our Country and the first First Lady. George Washington (1732 - 1799) - Find A Grave Memorial Fairfax County Virginia, USA 1st United States President, Revolutionary War Continental General.

George Washington earned the title, 'Father of His Country.' Before the Revolutionary War, there had been thirteen separate colonies, each with its own government. A war had forced them to fight as a single nation. A convention in Philadelphia with representatives from each formed a new independent nation. To the man who stood by and led a ragtag army, helped write the Constitution, worked to have it accepted, was then elected to be its first President. George Washington was born at Wakefield, the family plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. His father was a tobacco farmer and died when George was eleven. He then lived with his half brother who owned Mt. Vernon inheriting the property upon his death. He had no formal education but became a self learned surveyor at an early age. The French began to encroach on Virginia land and he was appointed a major in the militia and defended against the French at Fort Necessity. Although defeated, he gained valuable lessons in warfare. He was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses and the issue of the time was growing resentment to unfair taxation and economic policies from England.

Elected as a delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congresses and with sympathy toward severing ties with Great Britain, was given command of a new but ill equipped army. He accepted his new duties at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and embarked upon a war that was to last six grueling years with a strategy of hit and run. Successful at driving the British from Boston, he was badly defeated in New York but led his army through New Jersey across the Delaware River to safety in Pennsylvania. His troops were discouraged and many deserted. He re crossed the Delaware River near Trenton capturing a thousand Hessian mercenaries serving in the British army. However, the British were victorious again driving the Americans from Philadelphia. A winter camp at Valley Forge was the defining period in the struggle for independence. The men suffered: food was in short supply, improper clothing led to frozen feet and death. Martha was there beside her husband giving them soup, medicine and clothes she obtained from personal relief efforts. The battle of Saratoga was the turning point. Washington's military tactics confounded the British. France decided to send ships, men and money which led to the victory at Yorktown, Virginia where British troops commanded by General Cornwallis were surrounded by the French and Americans and forced to surrender.

The war was over, independence achieved, a peace treaty signed and Washington said farewell to his soldiers and returned to Mount Vernon. However, he was a delegate to the convention which formed the new nation and wrote the new constitution which rewarded him by election as the first President. He took the oath of office in New York City and the first order of business was to appoint the ablest men of his time to help him. The first cabinet was born: Alexander Hamilton-Secretary of the Treasury, Thomas Jefferson-Secretary of State, Henry Knox- Secretary of War and Samuel Osgood -Postmaster General. He appointed the first ten Justices to the Supreme Court. In 1791 a federal territory was established as the site of the new nation's permanent capital and Pierre Charles L'Enfant was named architect in charge of plans for the new federal city. President Washington laid the cornerstone in 1793 for the Capitol building. The site was named Washington in his honor when becoming the nations capitol in 1800. He served two terms, turning down a third, returning home to Mount Vernon. Washington enjoyed less than three years of retirement.

After spending a day riding on his farms in foul weather, his throat became inflamed developing into what today is called acute inflammatory edema. The first President was dead at age 67. His body was brought downstairs and kept for three days to be certain he was indeed dead. Washington was interred as he wished at Mt Vernon in a hastily constructed brick crypt. Prior to interment, an elaborate funeral service was conducted. Martha sat beside a second-floor window and watched the funeral on the lawn below. The service included cavalry, infantry, cannons, a riderless horse, solemn music and hundreds of mourners. Finally a last passage was read from the Episcopal prayer book and the body was placed in the crypt. In two years, Martha joined him upon her death. A new mausoleum was constructed some thirty years later and both bodies were moved and placed in an inter wall. A move again from the inter wall of the tomb to the present anteroom where a marble white coffin shaped sarcophagus was constructed to contain the Presidents coffin. On his left, is Martha in a more simple sarcophagus. Both are visible from behind the high iron gates.

Postscript: After his death, legends, paintings and books elevated him into an unbelievable legend (example cherry tree fable). However, more meaningful monuments remain today. Towns, Cities, schools, and streets honor his name across America. The 550 foot tall marble obelisk which dominates the Washington skyline honors him. Construction of the Washington Monument began in 1848, stopped during the Civil War and was finished in 1884 George Washington was forgotten for a time and Mt Vernon fell into disrepair until the Mount Vernon Ladies Association was formed and instituted repair while taking on the task of its future care and preservation. The residence was constructed by Washington and it contains original furnishings and many artifacts owned by the famous couple. The President owned many slaves and it bothered him that as leader of the revolution that had yielded the country liberty, many Americans remained in bondage. More than 300 slaves lived and worked on the Mount Vernon farms. By the terms of his will, he set his slaves free, arranging for the older ones to receive pensions. In 1983, the Ladies Association began the task of refurbishing the large neglected slave cemetery at the rear of the estate. No markers were ever placed as the slaves died.

They have erected a monument noting this disservice and were able to emblazon on its surface a few known names. (bio by: Donald Greyfield) George Washington, 1732–1799 - The Washington Papers George Washington, 1732–1799 George Washington, 1732–1799 Q: Was Washington born at Mount Vernon? A: No. He was born February 11, 1732, near Bridges Creek, on an estate later called Wakefield (probably named by Washington’s nephew William Augustine Washington), in Westmoreland County, Virginia, about forty miles south of Mount Vernon. Q: When did Washington die and what ailment caused his death? A: Washington died at Mount Vernon in the late evening on December 14, 1799 from a throat infection called epiglottitis. On December 18 he was buried in the family vault at Mount Vernon. Q: Were all the pall bearers at President Washington’s funeral Masons? A: Mrs. Washington designated the Masonic Fraternity to take charge of the funeral.

She requested, however, that Colonel Philip Marsteller, who was not a Mason, be a pall bearer. The five remaining pall bearers were all Masons. Q: When and where was the first celebration of Washington’s birthday? A: The first public celebration, of which there is record, was at Valley Forge, February 22, 1778, when Proctor’s Continental Artillery band serenaded Washington. The first public celebration as a holiday was by order of Comte Rochambeau, February 12, 1781, when the French Army in Rhode Island was granted a holiday on that day, Monday. February 11th, 1781, Washington’s birthday by the Julian Calendar, happened to fall on Sunday. An old-fashioned George Washington joke from the Charlottesville (Virginia) Chronicle, 25 May 1883: “When did George Washington die?” asked a teacher of a large boy. “Is he dead?” was the astonished reply. “Why, it is not more than six months ago that they were celebrating his brithday, and now he is dead. Its a bad year on children.

I reckon his folks let him eat something that didn’t agree with him.” Q: Why is Washington’s birthday celebrated on February 22 when he was born on February 11th? A: February 11th was GW’s birthday according to the Julian (Old Style) calendar, but in 1752, the corrections of the Gregorian (New Style) Calendar were adopted by England, Ireland, and the colonies, and GW’s birthday became 22 February [Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds., The Diaries of George Washington, vol. VI, January 1790–December 1799 (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1979) 282.] Under England’s interpretation of the Julian Calendar the new year began on 25 March. Because the year under the Julian Calendar was 365 days 6 hours, by the sixteenth century a considerable surplus had accumulated, moving the vernal equinox from 21 to 11 March. The error was corrected in 1582 by the Gregorian Calendar (New Style), adopted by most European countries.

By 1752, when Great Britain adopted the Gregorian Calendar, the displacement was 11 days.[Donald Jackson, ed., The Diaries of George Washington, vol. I, 1748-65 (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1976), 6.] Q: What was George Washington’s middle name? A: According to the record of his birth in the family bible, Washington was not given a middle name. Q: Who were Washington’s parents? A: George Washington was the son of Augustine Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington. Few people know of George’s father, because Augustine died when George was only eleven and he rarely spoke of him. But many people knew of his mother, Mary Ball Washington. She lived to be 82, and saw her son elected first President of the United States in 1789. (courtesy Mount Vernon) Q: Did George Washington have any brothers or sisters? A: Washington had five brothers and one sister who reached maturity: Lawrence, Augustine, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and Betty. The first two were half-brothers.

There were also a half-brother and half-sister and a full sister who died young. Q: How tall was George Washington? A: To the best of our knowledge Washington was about six feet in height. There are records which show his measurement to have been between six feet and six feet two inches at various times. He registered six feet three and one-half inches when measured for his coffin. Q: Did George Washington wear a wig? A: No. He wore his own hair which was light brown in color, tied in a queue and powdered. The queue was sometimes worn in a small black silk bag. Q: Did George Washington have wooden teeth? A: He had several sets of false teeth over the years, but they were not made of wood. For at least one set, Washington’s dentist, Dr. John Greenwood, used a cow’s tooth, one of Washington’s teeth, hippopotamus ivory, metal and springs. The teeth fit poorly. (courtesy Mount Vernon) Q: Where are George Washington’s false teeth? A: One set is in the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, one set in possession of Joseph R. Greenwood of New York, and another set at Mount Vernon.

Q: Did George Washington chop down a cherry tree? A: Probably not. The story was likely invented by a man named Mason Weems shortly after Washington’s death. Ironically, the story was intended to show how honest Washington was: George confesses to his father saying, “I cannot tell a lie.” Q: Did George Washington own slaves? A: Yes. At age eleven he inherited ten slaves from his father. By the end of Washington’s life, over three-hundred African-American slaves lived at Mount Vernon. (courtesy Mount Vernon). Q: Did Washington free his slaves? A: Yes. Washington’s attitude towards slavery changed as he grew older and especially as he fought for liberty in the Revolution. He emancipated his slaves in his will and his estate paid pensions to the older African Americans for decades. Q: Which portrait of George Washington appears on the Dollar Bill? A: The picture on the Dollar Bill was taken from the “Athenaeum” Portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. The original was painted in 1796. Q: How many times did George Washington actually sit to different painters for his portraits? A: There are nineteen artists of which there is little doubt that Washington sat for portraits.

For some of these he sat more than once. Washington also sat for sculptors Houdon and Ceracchi. Q: Was Robert E. Lee related to George Washington? A: Robert E. Lee married the granddaughter of Jackie Custis who was Washington’s stepson. Lee is also GW’s third cousin, twice removed, since both men are descended from Augustine Warner, Sr., and Mary Towneley Warner (GW by way of their son, Augustine, Jr., and Lee by way of their daughter, Sarah). (courtesy Frank Grizzard) Q: Which states or future states did Washington visit in his lifetime? A: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is not unlikely that he was within the bounds of Vermont during his trip to Lake Champlain in 1783. Q: Did Washington ever leave the United States? A: The only trip George Washington made outside of his own country was when he accompanied his half-brother Lawrence to the Barbados (1751–1752). Q: Was Washington ever awarded a college degree?

A: Washington was not a college graduate but he received an honorary LL.D. from five educational institutions: Harvard, 1776; Yale, 1781; University of Pennsylvania, 1783; Washington College (Maryland), 1789; Brown, 1790. Although he did not complete college, Washington did maintain a large library at Mount Vernon. Q: Did Washington ever practice law or did he ever appear in court as an attorney? A: No. Washington acquired much legal training incidentally in connection with his duties as guardian and the many trusteeships and executorships which he assumed. He was, moreover, for years a justice of the peace of Fairfax County and not only heard minor cases, but also was a member of the County Court, which had an extended jurisdiction in equity as well as in civil and criminal law. In colonial days the justices were the county gentlemen, not trained lawyers, but the service was an excellent training in legal knowledge. Q: How many letters did George Washington write during his lifetime? A: Only a rough estimate can be given. The best authorities have estimated the total to be between 18,000 and 20,000.

Of these, considerably fewer than half are in Washington’s own hand writing. Q: What was the last letter that George Washington wrote? A: The last letter that George Washington wrote was to his farm manager on December 13, 1799, the day before he died. He wrote Alexander Hamilton on the proposed Military Academy, on December 12. Q: To whom did Washington leave his public and private letters and papers? A: To his nephew, Bushrod Washington. Q: When did the first direct ancestor of George Washington land in America? A: John Washington, according to the best accounts available, landed in America early in the year 1657. His father had been a follower of Charles I during the civil war in England and had lost his benefice by order of Parliament, and evidently the young man was on his own very early. He was probably about 25 years old when he immigrated. George Washington was a direct descendant of John Washington, the immigrant. Q: Did Washington actually write the Rules of Civility? A: No. In fact “The Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation” have been traced back to the sixteenth century.

Some of the maxims were so fully exemplified in Washington’s life that biographers came to regard them as formative influences on his character. Questions and Answers taken from: History of the George Washington Bicentennial Celebration, Volume II, Literature Series (Washington, D.C.: George Washington Bicentennial Commission, 1932), 643-688. (unless otherwise noted) Washington Genealogy - President George Washington Family History View Records » George Washington Genealogy The first President of the United States, George Washington, was born at Pope's Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington on 11 February (Old Style) or 22 February (New Style) 1732 (see note below). Both of George's parents had been born in Virginia. His father Augustine (1693-1743) was the son of Lawrence and Mildred Warner Washington. Augustine's first wife, Jane Butler, gave birth to three sons and a daughter, but only two, Lawrence and Augustine, survived. The elder Augustine then married Mary Ball, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Bennett Ball.

Augustine and Mary had six children: George, Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles, and Mildred, who died as an infant. Thus young George grew up surrounded by his siblings: two half- brothers, three brothers, and a sister. The Washington and Ball families were both of English descent; they emigrated to Virginia in the 1600s and became planters. The Washingtons were from a land-owning family in England; a brother of George's great-grandfather John Washington married a half-sister of the Duke of Buckingham. Another ancestor had been Mayor of Northampton and owner of the manor of Sulgrave in Northamptonshire. Young George entered the Virginia militia, serving as a major and then colonel during the French and Indian Wars. He was elected to the state House of Burgesses and later, during the Revolution, was sent to the Second Continental Congress representing his home state. He became Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, from which post he oversaw the eventual success of the Patriots' cause. After the war, he served with the Constitutional Convention in developing a government for the new country, and was then elected its first president in 1789.

During his first term Washington spent much time organizing and the executive branch of the government, developing operating procedures that the new country would rely on for generations. His second term was focused on foreign affairs, though many feel it was marred by increasing partisanship and unrest. Still, during this time the Indian wars were finally ended, and the interior of the continent was opened for Western settlement. Washington Family Tree Washington Family History In Virginia, emigrants Augustine and Jane Butler Washington engaged in planting, prospering enough to send their two sons to school in England. Augustine accompanied the two boys to settle them in their school, but upon his return to Virginia, he learned that Jane had died. Later, when the young men returned to Virginia, they took up nearby estates and engaged in planting, Lawrence at Mount Vernon, and the younger Augustine at Wakefield. The elder Augustine died when young George was 11, and he spent much of his early life at the homes of his brothers. George seems to have gotten along particularly well with Lawrence, who developed tuberculosis ("consumption") as a young man.

George went with him first to Bath (now Berkeley Springs) in West Virginia, and then to Barbados, where it was hoped the warm springs or milder climate would cure Lawrence. Unfortunately, neither trip helped him, and when Lawrence died, he left his estate of Mount Vernon to George, who was to take possession after the death of Lawrence's widow. George was the oldest of Mary Ball's children. His closest sibling in age, Samuel, was two years younger, but it does not appear that they were particularly close. Samuel's finances were unstable, and George often helped Samuel's family, including paying for the education of the children. John Augustine, four years younger than George, was a particular favorite. George described him in a letter as "the intimate companion of my youth and the friend of my ripened age." John often handled George's business affairs when he was away serving in the military. George's only sister, Betty, married Fielding Lewis; the families visited each other often and corresponded when apart. Lewis also had monetary problems, and once again, George helped them out financially.

George Washington's Marriage and Extended Family George, at the age of 27, married Martha Dandridge Custis on 6 January 1759. A widow with two children, Martha had first been married to Colonel Daniel Parke Custis, another prosperous Virginia planter. Martha had four children by Custis, but only two, John Parke Custis (1754-1781) and Martha (called Patsy) (1765-1773), survived infancy. Col. Custis died in 1757; a year later Martha met George, and the following year they were married. George and Martha had no children together, and there are no known direct descendants of George Washington. He was, however, a kindly father to his two step children, and when John died during the Revolutionary War, George and Martha informally adopted his two youngest children. John's widow, Eleanor Calvert Custis, later married a second time, to Dr. David Stuart of Alexandria, Virginia. The oldest Custis children remained with their mother, while she had seven more children with her second husband.

These two youngest children were Eleanor Parke Custis (1779-1852), called Nelly, and George Washington Parke Custis (1781-1857), known as Wash. Nelly married Lawrence Lewis, a nephew of George Washington and another Virginia planter. She was devoted to the Washingtons, and was instrumental in preserving the legacy and lore surrounding the first president of the United States. Nelly was buried at Mount Vernon near the tomb of George and Martha Washington. Nelly's brother Wash inherited lands and property, and constructed the mansion of Arlington House, just across the Potomac River in Washington D.C., as a memorial to his grandfather. He was a writer and orator, and was known for promoting agricultural reforms. Wash married Mary Lee Fitzhugh in 1804. Their only surviving child, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married her second cousin Robert E. Lee at Arlington House on June 30, 1831. George and Martha Washington died within a few years of each other, not long after his second term in office ended.

He succumbed of a throat infection (possibly epiglottitis) compounded by excessive bloodletting, on 14 Dec 1799 at Mt. Vernon, Fairfax, VA, Martha died, reportedly of a fever, shortly thereafter, on 22 May, 1802. - - - - - - Note: George Washington was born 11 February 1732 according to the Julian (or Old Style) Calendar. Twenty years later, when the Gregorian (New Style) Calendar was adopted by England and its colonies, the date became 22 February; this is the date we celebrate as his birthday. - - - - - - Find Records Now for Free Start your free trial today to learn more about your ancestors using our powerful and intuitive search. Cancel any time, no strings attached.

Key Facts · George Washington's Mount Vernon General of the Continental Army June 15, 1775 to December 23, 1783 President of the United States April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797 Jump Lower George Washington was born at Pope’s Creek in 1732 George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 (February 11, 1731/2 Old Style) at Pope’s Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia, about 40 miles south of Mount Vernon. His great-grandfather came to America from England in 1657 aboard a ship named Sea Horse of London. George Washington did not have a middle name George Washington learned to be a surveyor Washington's surveying instruments (Mount Vernon Ladies' Association) Eager to learn a new and important trade, George Washington read mathematical texts to learn the geometric principles necessary for surveying. At seventeen years of age and largely through the Fairfax influence that he had cultivated, Washington secured an appointment as county surveyor for the newly created frontier county of Culpeper, Virginia. He was well on his way to a successful and profitable career.

Not only did he receive substantial fees for surveying, but he discovered firsthand an ability to identify and select the best plots of land for purchase, an especially important consideration in colonial America, where land equaled power. Washington the Surveyor George Washington did not throw a silver dollar across the Potomac This myth is frequently told to demonstrate Washington’s considerable physical strength. The Potomac River is over a mile wide at Mount Vernon and even George Washington did not have the arm to fling a silver dollar that far. Moreover, there were no silver dollars when Washington was a young man. His step-grandson reported that Washington once threw a piece of slate across the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, which is much narrower, and that may be the origin of this story. Washington wanted to join the Royal Navy, but his mother would not let him The Royal Navy at the Battle of Quiberon Bay, 1759 (Wikimedia) In September 1746, George’s half-brother Lawrence and his friend and mentor Colonel William Fairfax, hatched a plan for the 14 year old that would have him joining a Royal Navy frigate anchored along the Virginia shore as a midshipmen.

George, who valued his older half-brother and mentor’s advice, was prepared to seek his mother, Mary Washington’s, approval. Mary, who sought out the advice of neighbors and relations in England, became convinced that this was not a prudent career move for young George and withheld her all-important permission. Whether this decision came from reasoned analysis or a desire to retain her eldest son on the Fredericksburg farm, Mary Washington did the American cause a great service in withholding her approval. Washington contracted smallpox while visiting Barbados The Island of Barbados (Library of Congress) In 1751 George Washington accompanied his older half-brother Lawrence to the island of Barbados – the only foreign country that Washington would visit during his lifetime. It was hoped that the tropical climate of this British island would help cure Lawrence of his tuberculosis. The stay in Barbados proved to be a challenging one for both of the Washingtons. Lawrence found the oppressive heat miserable to bear and the climate did not improve his condition. And Washington on November 17, 1751 contracted smallpox on the island.

Fortunately for young George Washington, not only was he able to recover from the affliction, but he also inherited, as a result, a life-long immunity to this dreaded killer for the rest of his life. This would become crucial in the American Revolution, when the country was threatened by a smallpox epidemic. Learn more about Washington's trip to Barbados Washington inherited his first slaves at age 11 George Washington inherited ten slaves from his father when he was just 11 years old. By the end of Washington’s life, over 300 African American slaves lived in bondage at Mount Vernon. Washington & Slavery Washington inherited Mount Vernon in 1761 George Washington did not inherit Mount Vernon until after his elder half-brother Lawrence Washington passed away in 1752, and both of the intervening heirs had died. Following the death of Lawrence’s young daughter Sarah in 1754, he began renting Mount Vernon from Lawrence’s widow, Ann, who had remarried and moved away. The estate became George Washington’s when Ann died in 1761.

In 1754 Washington led an attack that started a world war Jumonville Glen today Directed to press Virginia and Britain’s claim to the Ohio country to the French, George Washington led a force of soldiers from the Virginia Regiment and Native-American warriors to Jumonville Glen in Pennsylvania on May 28, 1754. While both sides claim the other side fired first, Washington’s forces killed many of the French soldiers camped beneath the rocks. This attack in the back woods of the Ohio Country is considered to be the trigger event for the Seven Years’ War – a war that would quickly escalate into a world war stretching to Europe, West Africa, India and the Philippines. Washington and the French & Indian War Washington was known as an energetic and excellent dancer Dancing was considered an important part of the social fabric of 18th century life. And as George Washington’s social stature began to rise, the number of balls, cotillions, parties, and dances he was invited to also rose considerably. Young Washington, blessed with an athletic frame, quickly came to love dancing and there are many accounts of his dancing throughout the night with an array of female guests.

Test Your Knowledge Washington was first elected to public office in 1758 House of Burgesses - Williamsburg George Washington served in the Virginia House of Burgesses for fifteen years before the American Revolution. After a failed bid for a seat in December 1755, he won election in 1758 and represented Frederick County until 1761. That year he ran in Fairfax County, winning a seat which he would retain until 1775. During his tenure, Washington was not an outspoken burgess, nor did he introduce expansive or innovative legislation. Meeting in Williamsburg with elder statesmen such as John Robinson, Peyton Randolph, and George Wythe, as well as newer burgesses such as George Mason, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson, Washington learned to navigate political spheres and began his lessons in statecraft. Washington in the House of Burgesses Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759 On January 6th, 1759, Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, a charming and vivacious young widow from the Tidewater area of Virginia. Martha brought enormous wealth, along with two small children, “Jacky” and “Patsy,” to the marriage.

It was her second marriage and his first. Martha Washington Washington suffered from dental problems all his adult life Despite his legendary physical strength and iron constitution, George Washington’s failing teeth were a source of regular suffering. At age 24, Washington recorded in his diary that he paid 5 shillings to a “Doctr Watson” who removed one of his teeth. Letters and diary entries later in his life make regular reference to aching teeth, lost teeth, inflamed gums, ill-fitting dentures, and a host of other dental miseries. Payments to dentists and purchases of toothbrushes, tongue scrapers, dental tools, toothache medication, and cleaning solutions are also regularly present in Washington’s communications throughout his life. Washington did not have children of his own The Custis Children While Washington was fond of children, he and Martha did not have any children of their own. Martha Washington brought two children, John Parke Custis and Martha Parke Custis, into the union from her previous marriage. Many have speculated as to why Martha and George could not have children, but it is impossible to know exactly why the couple was childless. Despite that fact, there were always children in the Washington household throughout their marriage.

Together they raised Mrs. Washington’s two children, as well as two of her four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A great-grandchild was born at Mount Vernon just two weeks before George Washington’s death. Washington was appointed as commander of the Continental Army in 1775 With the military situation becoming even more serious around Boston in 1775, the Second Continental Congress was eager to appoint an overall commander of the Continental Army forces assembling. George Washington, a member of the Second Continental Congress, was appointed as the commanding general on June 15, 1775. Washington’s prior military experience with the British army was important, particularly given the inexperience of many colonial regulars. The fact that he was a Southerner, when most of the army in those early days was from New England, was also appealing, because it illustrated that the patriot forces were united and that this was not just a conflict between Britain and northeastern colonies. After his appointment in Philadelphia, Washington headed directly to Boston to take command of the American forces.

Washington in the Revolutionary War Washington lost more battles than he won, but his leadership helped secure American independence Given Washington’s ultimate success during the Revolution, it’s important to consider that he lost more battles than he won throughout his military career. The Battles of Fort Necessity, Monongahela , Long Island , White Plains, Fort Washington, Brandywine , and Germantown were all battles that Washington either directly led or played an important role in…and in each of these battles Washington’s forces were defeated. Despite this roster of tactical defeats, Washington brought many important characteristics to his military command. His ability to rally men under fire, his ability to sustain the Continental Army ’s morale, his administrative talents, and his grasp of the larger strategic imperatives all made Washington the great general that history remembers and celebrates. Washington had many close calls, but was never seriously wounded in battle George Washington at the Battle of Princeton (Don Troiani - historicalartprints.com) George Washington exhibited great steadiness and courage in battle and was frequently near the front lines during his many battles. At the Battle of Monongahela in 1755, Washington had two horses shot out from underneath him and his coat was pierced by four musket balls.

At Kip’s Bay and the Battle of Princeton ( map ), Washington risked his own life when rushing to the front lines to rally his flagging troops. Washington designed and oversaw the expansion of Mount Vernon The Mount Vernon home that George Washington inherited from his brother Lawrence was a much smaller affair than the home most people know today. Washington designed and oversaw two large expansions to his mansion while also directing many landscape improvements to his land. Washington was an investor in a company that built a canal around the Great Falls of the Potomac Remnants of the Potowmack Company's canals at Great Falls Washington believed that it was vital to the growing nation that the east and west be knitted more strongly together via commerce. Hoping to establish the Potomac River as the avenue of trade that would help to accomplish this goal, Washington helped found the Potomac Company in 1785. One of the major projects of the Potomac Company was the creation of a canal that would skirt the Great Falls of the Potomac, one of the largest and most ambitious civil engineering projects in America.

The Potowmack Canal was finally completed in 1802, several years after Washington’s death, and it led a troubled existence until it was sold to the nearby Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Company in 1828. The Potomac Company Washington came to own tens of thousands of acres in North America George Washington became one of the largest land holders in the United States at the time. Not only did Washington own 8,000 acres at Mount Vernon, but through numerous land transactions and land bounties, Washington owned more than 50,000 acres in the western portions of Virginia and what is now West Virginia, as well as in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky, and the Ohio country. These considerable acquisitions not only made Washington wealthy in terms of his land holdings, but also encouraged his strong interest in the westward expansion of the United States. Take the Washington Geography Quiz Washington was the first to sign the Constitution As the President of the Constitutional Convention, George Washington was permitted to be the first to sign this important document.

Washington's Acts of Congress Washington was unanimously elected President of the United States, twice At this early stage in the development of the United States, presidents were selected solely through the vote of the Electoral College, not by popular vote. The 69 votes that Washington received in 1789, and the 132 he received in 1792 represented all of the available Electoral College votes, thereby making Washington the only president in United States history to have been unanimously elected. Washington’s presidency founded the United States Navy, established the nation’s official currency, created the State Department, and established the Supreme Court The USS Constitution - one of the naval vessels Washington's administration ordered built (Hunter Stires, Creative Commons) As the first President of the United States, Washington quickly learned that the newly adopted Constitution only provided a framework for how the government would function. Moving quickly to fill in many important gaps, Washington signed into law the Judiciary Act of 1789 which established a six-member Supreme Court and the position of Attorney General. On July 27, 1789 Washington signed a bill authorizing the creation of a Department of Foreign Affairs (future State Department) and a Secretary of State.

In 1792 Washington signed the Coinage Act that established the dollar as the official currency of the United States. And with his signature, Washington, through the Naval Act of 1794 , authorized the construction of six frigates – thereby creating the United States Navy. Washington never occupied the White House George Washington was the only U.S. President who did not occupy the White House, which was not completed until after his death. During his two terms as president, the U.S. Capital was located first in New York and then in Philadelphia. George Washington played a large role, however, in the development of the new Federal City that was named after him, and in overseeing the design of both the Capitol Building and the White House. George Washington did not wear a wig Even though wigs were fashionable, Washington kept his own hair, which he wore long and tied back in a queue, or ponytail. Washington did, however, powder his hair which was the custom of the time.

Washington was a quietly religious man The Washington Family Bible (Mount Vernon Ladies' Association) In regard to religion, Washington was generally private about his personal beliefs, but he was an active member of the Anglican (later Episcopal) Church for his entire life, and even served as a vestryman and church warden for many years in his local parish. Family members recalled him reading sermons aloud to them on Sunday afternoons. Both family members and former aides mentioned that he set aside time for prayer and Bible reading each day. One well-known report stated that Washington's nephew witnessed him doing personal devotions with an open Bible while kneeling, in both the morning and evening. George Washington and Religion Washington promoted the right of all Americans to follow their conscience in matters of faith Washington firmly believed in the concept of religious liberty or freedom of conscience. During his lifetime, he attended services of multiple Christian denominations. As President, Washington wrote a letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport , Rhode Island, standing in favor of religious freedom, explaining: "It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights.

For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens…May the children of the stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the goodwill of the other inhabitants." Washington helped promote the use of mules in the United States Mules at Mount Vernon George Washington was instrumental in popularizing the mule in the United States. His study of agriculture convinced him that mules (the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse) were better suited to farm work because they were stronger and had more endurance than a horse. When he began breeding mules at Mount Vernon in the 1780s, using imported donkeys from Spain, Malta, and South America, he was proved right. George Washington operated one of the largest distilleries in America at its time Washington's Distillery at Mount Vernon Towards the end of his life, Washington established a rye and corn whiskey distillery on his Dogue Run farm.

In 1799, the year of Washington’s death, the distillery produced 10,942 gallons of whiskey – thereby making it the largest distillery in America at the time. Washington also was the only founding father to own and operate his own whiskey distillery. Washington's Distillery Washington died on December 14, 1799 after taking ill following a ride around his farms On Thursday, December 12, 1799 George Washington was out on horseback supervising farming activities during a wretched day filled with light snow, hail, and rain. The next day brought heavy snow, but despite having a cold and sore throat, he went out in the afternoon to mark some trees between the mansion and the Potomac River. After turning in for the night, Washington awoke in great discomfort and indicated that he was having trouble breathing. Despite the close attention paid him by Dr. James Craik and two other attending physicians, Washington’s condition worsened and between 10 and 11pm on the night of December 14, 1799, George Washington passed away. Modern doctors have indicated that the cause of death was probably acute epiglottitis.

The Death of George Washington George Washington made provisions to free all his slaves in his will – the only slave-owning president to do so Washington’s attitude toward slavery gradually changed as he grew older and especially as he fought for liberty in the American Revolution. In his will, he arranged to free those slaves belonging to him upon his wife’s death (about 123) and, as was required by law, his estate paid for the care of former Mount Vernon slaves for decades after his death. Washington is the only slave owning president who freed all of his slaves. The remaining slaves (153 people) at Mount Vernon belonged to the estate of Martha Washington’s first husband and were known as dower slaves. By law, Washington had no legal rights to free those individuals, who were inherited by Martha Washington’s descendants upon her death in 1802. Another 43 slaves, who were rented from a neighbor, were returned to their owner after George Washington’s death. Washington was supposed to be buried beneath the U.S. Capitol, but lays in rest at Mount Vernon instead The New Tomb at Mount Vernon In the design of the U.S.

Capitol building in Washington DC, the central vault was built as the final resting place of George Washington. In his will, Washington specified that he wished to be buried in the family vault at Mount Vernon and that a new tomb should be constructed on his land. His heirs finally honored his wish, moving the bodies of over 20 members of the family, including George and Martha Washington, to the New Tomb in 1831. The vault at the U.S. Capitol remains empty to this day. The Tombs at Mount Vernon Martha Washington chose to burn all the letters that she received from George Washington George Washington was quite thorough and meticulous in the preservation and organization of his official letters and papers. Unfortunately for historians, Martha Washington chose to protect the privacy of her relationship to George Washington by destroying the many letters that they wrote each other over 40 years of marriage. Only five pieces of correspondence between the two have survived: two letters from George Washington to Martha that were found behind a drawer in her desk; one letter introducing a New Englander to Martha Washington that survived because it was never received; and two small notes from Martha Washington to her husband, written as postscripts to letters from other members of the family, and thus were filed with her letters.

George Washington 1st President Mount Vernon Estate Mount Vernon, Va June 2004 When I went to Mount Vernon, I didn't get a chance to see the inside of the house because of the line being so long and it getting late. I did get to take a tour of Mount Vernon from the Potomac River and it was a very nice tour that is worth taking. It goes from the area you pick the boat up at, and it goes up to Fort Washington and back to where you picked the boat up. So if you go to Mount Vernon I recommend paying the extra money for the river tour if it is being offered. Here is the new tomb where George and Martha Washington are buried Here is the old tomb. This is where the Washington family was buried before they were moved to the new tomb Facts About George Washington: George Washington had to borrow money to go to his own inauguration When George Washington was elected President, there was a king in France, a czarina in Russia, an emperor in China, and a shogun in Japan. Only the office of President remains At his inauguration, Washington had only one tooth.

At various times he wore dentures made of human or animal teeth, ivory or lead -- never wood Washington's inauguration speech was 183 words long and took 90 seconds to read. This was because of his false teeth The nation's capital was located in Philadelphia during Washington's administration making him the only president who didn't live in Washington, D.C. during his presidency He was a very loud snorer Washington was the only president to die in the 1700s Nickname: Father of His Country Last Words: Tis well Augustine Washington, Sr (1694 - 1743) - Find A Grave Memorial Stafford County Virginia, USA Father of George Washington, America's first President. The British were well established in America with thirteen colonies prior to the American Revolution led by George Washington culminating in independence from England and the formation of a united county. Cities, seaports, schools, churches and thriving industry doted the landscape. In the south, large plantations sprang up, constructed and operated by cheap labor in the form of slaves imported from Africa.

By the time of the marriage of Jane Butler and Augustine Washington Sr., three family generations had past since George's Great Grandfather John Washington had immigrated to the Colonies during the British Civil War in 1631. The extensive family became prosperous and thriving when Augustine Washington was born in 1694 in Westmoreland County, Virginia on his father's plantation. He was only four when his father died and his inheritance consisted of 1,000 acres on Bridges Creek (Popes Creek). When Augustine came of age, he married Jane Butler, an orphan with considerable wealth of her own. The couple settled on his inherited property and quickly constructed a new house called "Wakefield." He developed the land known as Popes Creek Plantation into a modest but successful farming venture. In addition to cultivating tobacco, he was active in the church, local politics and served at various times as justice of the peace and county sheriff. The marriage would produce two sons, Lawrence and Augustine Jr. Jane would pass away in 1728 and three years later Augustine would marry a second time to Mary Ball. Their first born would be George destined to be the first President of the United States.

Although born in the "Wakefield Mansion," he would only spend the first three years of his life as the family moved many times, living at various plantations owned by Augustine Sr. The family lastly settled at Ferry Farm Plantation near Frederiksburg where Augustine owned and operated Accokeek Iron Furnace located nearby. Five other children followed...Samuel, Elizabeth, John Augustine, Charles, and Mildred (died in infancy). When Augustine Washington Sr. died in 1743 at Ferry Farm, he left his wife Mary Ball with many small children but well provided. George the oldest was but eleven. He along with other family members conveyed their father's remains by land and river 35 miles back to Popes Creek where they buried him beside his first wife and near his father and grandfather at the Washington family burial ground (Popes Creek Cemetery.) Mary would continue to live with her children and operate Ferry Farm with enslaved labor until selling the farm and moving into the town of Fredericksburg in 1774. Soon after the death of his father, George would live with his half brother Augustine Washington Jr. (Austin) in order to pursue an education at the Henry Williams School in Westmoreland County.

At age fifteen he was a land surveyor. His first assignment was a land survey of 22 acres at Popes Creek. Legacy...In 1779, William, the son of Augustine Washington Jr., accidently burned down "Wakefield" after building a large fire in the mansion fire place then leaving to attend Episcopal church services on Christmas day. A spark from the chimney ignited a fire that destroyed the dwelling. A replica plantation house was constructed on the plantation land in Westmoreland County to approximate the original birth house in 1932 and is today known as the "Memorial House." The historical area today consists of 538 acres with the house, the Washington family burial ground, a working demonstration farm and 18th century period garden. Also interred in the burial ground are 28 other early members of the Washington family. President George Washington was buried at Mt. Vernon in 1799 and his mother Mary Ball Washington in Frederiksburg. The original foundations of what is believed to be the birth house were discovered by preservationist and is outlined. The site is now known as the George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

An unmarked slave graveyard discovered at the Washington birthplace is an infamous legacy of Augustine Washington Sr. It contains 156 bodies of slaves owned by George Washington's father. Trivia note: Washington's birthplace eventually was sold and passed from the holdings of the Washington family. It was allow to disintegrate until preservationists realized the historical significance of the site. However, it was to late, nothing remained but finally a concerted effort with private and government assistance began to restore the plantation in the early 30's in a style of how it may have looked. Even the burial grounds was a vain attempt at restoration and creation. The finished project today resulted after disinterring of family parts, and a few vandalized markers from around the plantation and area with reinterring on the site.

Question: What was the name of George Washington's house where he is buried
Answer: Mount Vernon